NFL Great Seau Dead in Apparent Suicide
The greatest defensive player in San Diego Chargers history is dead.
43-year old Junior Seau, who was a 12-time Pro-Bowl selection as a San Diego Charger, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest in the bedroom of his North San Diego County home. The reasons are not known as the investigation continues.
Seau died in his hometown of Oceanside, California, where he starred as a multi-sport at Oceanside High. As a standout football and basketball player, Seau earned a full scholarship and starred at USC where he become a high draft pick of San Diego in 1990. In his stellar career, Seau led the Chargers to their only Super Bowl appearance losing to the San Francisco 49ers in 1994.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos called Seau an icon saying:
"I can't put into words how I'm feeling right now. I'm shocked and devastated," Spanos said in a statement. "Junior was my friend. We all lost a friend today. Junior was an icon in our community. He transcended the game. He wasn't just a football player, he was so much more. He was loved by everyone in our family, our organization and throughout the NFL.
"This is just such a tragic loss. One of the worst things I could ever imagine. My prayers go out to Junior's family. It's heartbreaking."
Seau was also beloved in San Diego despite last playing with the Chargers in 2003 before finishing his career with Miami and New England in 2009. His Junior Seau Foundation was active in the community helping underprivileged kids throughout the area with Seau and his smile always present.
Seau recently as 2010, survived a 100-foot drop off a cliff when he fell asleep at the wheel of his SUV. That was preceded by an arrest for investigation of domestic violence with the woman he called his girlfriend. Seau was never charged in any of the incidents.
The universal term to describe the events of today’s news has been shock.
Seau is survived by three children, his ex-wife and a large family still living in Oceanside.
Seau becomes the eighth member of the Chargers only Super Bowl team to die before the age of 45.
Follow Technorati